Debate Resources

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Issues Resources


Databases

Find database log-in helps here

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  • SIRS Issues Researcher

    • Scroll down to SIRS Issues Researcher icon
    • Contains overview article and questions with articles showing the "yes" and "no" side of the question, graphics/multimedia
    • SIRS Leading Issues Subjects: Animal Cruelty, Animal Experimentation, Animal Rights, Bullying, Technology, Technology and Privacy, Human Rights, National Security and Privacy, Energy Conservation, Energy Dependency, Energy Policy, Illegal Immigration, Health care, Healthcare Reform
    • Search: Sportsmanship, Creativity, Creative thinking, Digital Divide

  • EBSCO Points of View (Utah's Online Library)

    • Click on EBSCO then scroll to the bottom to find Points of View
    • Contains Overview, definitions, "Point" and "Counterpoint" Articles, radio/TV transcripts, primary source docs
    • Points of View Subjects: Electronic Surveillance, Privacy in the Information Age, Sports Discrimination, Animal Experimentation, Animal Rights, Bullying in Schools, Social Networking Sites, Immigration Restrictions, Health Care Law

  • Gale Opposing Viewpoints in Context (Utah's Online Library)

    • Click on Gale Reference Collection, Opposing Viewpoints in Context is on the right-hand side
    • Contains articles and other information including Primary Sources and statistics
    • Under "Browse Issues," 2015-16 National Debate Topic
    • Opposing Viewpoints Subjects: Animal Rights, Animal Experimentation, Bullying, Privacy, National Security, Energy Crisis, Terrorism, Illegal Immigrants, Human Rights, Health Care Issues,
      Search: Surveillance

  • Gale Global Issues in Context (Utah's Online Library)

    • Click on Gale Reference Collection, Global Issues in Context is on the left-hand side
    • Contains an international perspective on controversial issues including international newspapers
    • Can search by issue or by geographic area

  • In any Controversial Issues database:

    • Use the search bar if there is no "category" for your topic
    • Don't forget to select full-text
    • Sort by publication date to get the most up-to-date materials
    • Look for information in different formats (newspapers, reference, statistics, videos, etc.) for a variety of perspectives

  • World Book Advanced Edition

    • Look up Wiretapping, Patriot Act, etc.
    • Under the Additional Materials tab, you will find websites and magazines articles

Oratory

  • Student Issues in Context (Gale 9-12)--creativity

Extemporaneous Speaking:

Lincoln-Douglas Debate:


Other Resources:

Gale--Student Resources in Context (right-hand side of page)

NY Times Room for Debate--opinion pieces

On the Issues--quotes from political leaders about some issues


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Website Evaluation:
  • A=Author--can you find the author or organization of the material?
  • B=Bias--what is the purpose of the website, what words or images might indicate bias?
  • C=Currency--is it up to date?
  • D=Domain extension--what can you determine about reliability from the domain extension?
  • D=Documentation--can you tell the sources of information for the website?

Google Searching:
  • Use quotation marks to find exact phrases
    • "electronic surveillance"
    • "animal cruelty"
    • "illegal immigration"
  • Add another word to narrow results further
    • "domestic surveillance" drones
    • "illegal immigration" "Dream Act"
    • "solar power" advantages or disadvantages
  • Use site: find articles with a particular domain extension
    • "autonomous medical choices" teenagers site:.edu
    • "animal cruelty" site:.gov

Citation Helps


Debate Events